fast track watches design cost images

TweetEmailView the Abacus Wrist Net photo gallery.There are two things which distinguish the Abacus Wrist Net from the other dozen or so MSN Direct watches currently out there: 1) It is the cheapest ($129 retail), and 2) it is, in my opinion, probably the best looking. If you’ve been toying with the idea of taking the MSN Direct service for a spin, the Abacus Wrist Net might be just be the price point you’ve been waiting for. And now that MSN Direct watches get national news and high and low temperatures in your area for free, you can even get a taste of what it’s like for your wrist to be constantly connected before committing to a subscription.In terms of functionality, the Abacus Wrist Net is identical to the Fossil Wrist Net (FX3005) that I recently reviewed. In fact, to get the full story on the Abacus Wrist Net, you should definitely check out my Fossil Wrist Net review since I’m going to try not to be redundant in this article. The three primary differences I found between the two watches are:Appearance. Although the designs of the Abacus and the Fossil Wrist Net watches are similar, there are a few subtle differences. For instance, the Abacus comes with either a black or brown leather and rubber strap while the Fossil is only available in black; the buttons on the Abacus are elongated while the buttons on the Fossil are round; and the Abacus lacks the screws in the four corners of the face which give the Fossil its distinctive look. Watch Faces. The abacus comes with 18 watch faces while the Fossil comes with 26 (not including the two user-selected faces). If you’re wavering between the Abacus and the Fossil, I wouldn’t make the number of faces a deciding factor, however, since both come with a nice and perfectly sufficient selection (far more extensive than the Swatch Paparazzi).Price. The Abacus Wrist Net retails for $20 less than its Fossil counterpart. The next closest in price is the Swatch Paparazzi which retails for $150, and then the somewhat outdated Suunto n3 which generally goes for around $200.I really like the bands on both the Abacus and Fossil Wrist Net watches. They are handsome, comfortable, well contoured, and easily adjusted. The buckles are fairly inconspicuous, and easy to operate. In contrast, the band on the Swatch Paparazzi is thick, rigid, and actually has to be cut down to size (which is more permanent than I’d like since it then makes the watch difficult to sell, trade, loan, or give to a friend). I found I was able to get accustomed to wearing the Wrist Net watches much faster than the Paparazzi which, by the end of the day, had left some pretty nasty bite marks in my wrist from the surprisingly inflexible band. There are a lot of things I like about the Paparazzi over both the Abacus and the Fossil Wrist Net watches, but the band is most certainly not one of them. (For a detailed comparison of the Fossil Wrist Net and the Swatch Paparazzi, see my review of the Fossil Wrist Net FX3005.)I also really like the charger that comes with both Wrist Net watches. Although they are less portable than some of the other MSN Direct watch chargers, they are probably the easiest to use, and definitely the coolest. Rather than actually plugging the watch in to charge it, you simply set it down on top of the charger where it sort of hangs there, slurping up power without actually having to be hooked in to anything (see the Abacus Wrist Net photo gallery for pictures). Just make sure the clasp is closed and the two ends of the antenna are in contact so the watch can continue to receive data when not in use.There are two types of people for which I think the Abacus Wrist Net is well suited:Those who want to experiment with the MSN Direct service while minimizing their initial investment. Since MSN Direct allows you to add two different watches to your account with a single subscription (which I think is an excellent feature, by the way), you can always spring for the higher-end Suunto or Tissot once you’ve thoroughly evaluated the service with the Abacus.Those who are more concerned with the look of the watch than with the quality of the electronics. That’s not to say the Abacus is shabby, but’s also not a Tissot. It’s designed and built to appeal to a young, hip crowd (as most Fossil watches are), and is not about to fit comfortably under a tight, starched shirt cuff. In fact, I’d say the Abacus Wrist Net is most at home when worn with a pair of jeans or cargo pants. (The MSN Direct watch best suited for an office environment is the Suunto n3i with its handsome, slim profile.)In my experience, being happy with MSN Direct has more to do with your MSN Direct watch than with the actual service itself. I’ve enjoyed the MSN Direct service since the very first time I used it, and nothing about it has disappointed me (for a detailed review of the MSN Direct service, see my review of the Swatch Paparazzi). Yes, cell phones can provide most of what MSN Direct watches can provide, but I have never seen a cell phone that can make information so easily accessible. Even when I’m sitting at my computer, I’m more likely to check stock prices and weather on my watch than I am to use one of the hundreds of different widgets and services available on my Mac. MSN Direct makes glancing at important information as easy as glancing at the time. So if maintaining a constant flow of easily accessible, relevant information is appealing to you (and if you happen to live in an MSN Direct service area), I recommend you spend your time picking out the right watch rather than fretting over the MSN Direct service. If you want the best and most feature rich watch, go with the Tissot High-T. If you want the most business oriented, go with the Suunto n3i. If you want one the most sports oriented, consider the Suunto n6-HR with the built-in heart rate monitor. But if you want something simple and stylish that will get you connected without you having to worry about how your wife is going to react to the credit card bill, the Abacus Wrist Net might be the MSN Direct watch for you.Additional ResourcesAbacus Wrist Net product page.By Christian Cantrell

Officine Panerai presented a number of new pieces at SIHH in Palexpo, Geneva this week. Among them, one of my favourites, the Officine Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni – PAM00339. Released in a limited edition of just 1000 examples, this Radiomir exudes classic Panerai simplicity, evoking the memory of early models and mounted [...]Read More|||No Comment Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix CollectionPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 19th 2010under:Audemars Piguet, SIHH 2010Tags: Audemars Piguet, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix CollectionAudemars Piguet have today revealed the latest additions to the iconic Royal Oak Offshore series at the SIHH Geneva. The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection represents the manufacture’s dexterity in working with forged carbon and ceramic as base material for the watches, and the collection comprises three limited edition models which offer an all-carbon [...]Read More|||No Comment JeanRichard revisits it’s past with the new Aquascope JR1000Posted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 19th 2010under:JeanRichardTags: Daniel JeanRichard, JeanRichard, JeanRichard DiverscopeThe JeanRichard manufacture have removed the covers from another new model at the SIHH exhibition in Geneva this week. The JeanRichard Aquascope is a tribute to their own 1960s model and incorporates styling cues drawn from the era particularly with the square, cushion-shaped (or tonneau) case which contrasts the round dial. The polished and satin-finished [...]Read More|||No Comment IWC presents it’s Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic IW3766Posted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 19th 2010under:IWC, SIHH 2010Tags: IWC, IWC DaVinci Chronograph Ceramic, IWC watchIWC today revealed their newest addition to the successful DaVinci series, using the occasion of the 2010 SIHH exhibiton in Geneva to debut the piece. The IWC DaVinci Chronograph at the centre of attention certainly caused a stir among the many visitors as they sought to get a close-up look at the first IWC piece [...]Read More|||1 Comment The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie celebrates 20 yearsPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 18th 2010under:News, SIHH 2010Tags: SIHH 2010The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2010 officially opened for business in the Palexpo, Geneva on the 18th January, running until the 22nd of the month. This year’s proceedings mark the 20th anniversary of the event and is the second consecutive year in it’s new slot in January, a move (from springtime) which has [...]Read More|||No Comment Hublot King Power AlinghiPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 18th 2010under:Events, Hublot, News, SIHH 2010Tags: Americas Cup, Hublot, Hublot Alinghi, Hublot King Power, Hublot King Power Alinghi, Jean Claude Biver, SIHHAt a cocktail reception hosted by the charismatic Jean-Claude Biver on the shores of Lake Geneva over the weekend, the all-new relationship between his Hublot brand and the Alinghi Americas Cup team became official by the unveiling of the Hublot King Power Alinghi Limited Edition, itself based on the hugely successful Hublot Big Bang series. [...]Read More|||No Comment Corum Miss Golden Bridge and Golden Bridge 2010Posted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 16th 2010under:Corum, NewsTags: Corum, Corum Golden Bridge, Corum Miss Golden Bridge, Corum watchThis year Corum will present two new Golden Bridge models, the Corum Miss Golden Bridge and the Golden Bridge 2010.? Both pieces honour the 30th Anniversary of the resplendent Golden Bridge, first launched in 1980 and perhaps the most elegant of Corum's Four Pillars. The Corum Miss Golden Bridge The Miss Golden Bridge is unusual [...]Read More|||No Comment Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Beverly Hills Boutique Incursion EditionPosted bySylvia McElherroninJanuary 15th 2010under:Jaeger LeCoultre, NewsTags: Jaeger LeCoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Beverly Hills Boutique Incursion EditionJaeger-LeCoultre continues its association with the elite corps of the U.S. Navy, the Navy SEALs, with the latest release in the series, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Beverly Hills Boutique Incursion Edition. These latest timepieces will be a Jaeger-LeCoultre first – a Beverly Hill Boutique exclusive and without doubt one which will [...]Read More|||No Comment Maurice Lacroix Pontos D��centrique Phases de Lune Limited EditionPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 13th 2010under:Maurice Lacroix, NewsTags: Maurice Lacroix, Maurice Lacroix Pontos Decentrique Phases de Lune Limited Edition, Maurice Lacroix watchFrom the workshop of Maurice Lacroix comes a new limited edition piece, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos D��centrique Phases de Lune. Enthusiasts who appreciate unusual dial arrangements may have noticed previous Pontos D��centrique releases and this latest watch with its visually stunning atypical styling will not disappoint. The Maurice Lacroix Pontos D��centrique Phases de Lune Display [...]Read More|||No Comment Montblanc Collection Villeret Vintage 1858 ChronographePosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 12th 2010under:Montblanc, NewsTags: Montblanc, Montblanc Collection Villeret Vintage 1858 Chronographe, Montblanc watchFrom Montblanc comes a new release, the Montblanc Collection Villeret Vintage 1858 Chronographe. The first Montblanc watch collection was unveiled in 1997 and this has evolved into an elegant and appealing portfolio of mens and ladies models.? Ambitions to be respected within the industry as a serious watch brand gained momentum when Montblanc's parent company [...]Read More|||No Comment F P Journe watch makerPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 8th 2010under:F P JourneTags: F P Journe, F P Journe Chronom��tre �� R��sonance, F P Journe history, F P Journe profile, F P Journe Sonnerie Souveraine, F P Journe Souveraine Centigraphe, F P Journe timeline, F P Journe Tourbillon Souveraine, F P Journe watches, FP Journe, Fran?ois-Paul Journe, Invenit et FecitF.P. Journe watch company At The Watch Press we relish the opportunity to feature some of our own personal favourite watchmakers and their often astonishing accomplishments in their field. We all have different reasons for our choices, be it design, complication, sophistication or even quirkiness of a particular manufacturer. However, it is quite rare for [...]Read More|||1 Comment Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm Limited EditionPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 5th 2010under:News, PaneraiTags: PAM00349, Panerai, Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm, Panerai watchOfficine Panerai present the latest addition to their highly successful Radiomir collection – the Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm Limited Edition.? This special edition piece features the Panerai Calibre OP XXVII hand wound movement based on a Minerva base.? The watchcase constructed from titanium is 47mm wide and is the instantly recognisable cushion shape. The very [...]Read More|||No Comment Omega Timeless Olympic Speedmaster 5-CounterPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 5th 2010under:News, OmegaTags: Omega, Omega speedmaster, Omega Timeless Olympic Speedmaster 5-Counter, SpeedmasterOmega continues its sports timekeeping traditions with the release of a new Timeless Olympics collection.? Omega were the first company to be appointed as Official Olympic Games Timekeeper in 1932 when they provided 30 precision timing instruments for the event in Los Angeles. One piece in the forthcoming collection is the Omega Timeless Olympic Speedmaster [...]Read More|||No Comment Baume & Mercier Classima Executives XL Chronograph CalendarPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 5th 2010under:Baume & Mercier, NewsTags: Baume & Mercier, Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete CalendarWith a Valjoux 7751 movement based on the highly acclaimed 7750 Calibre, Baume & Mercier present a new addition to its Classima Executives XL collection first launched in 2004 – the Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar. As its name implies this latest piece features an array of functions within its classic 42mm round case [...]Read More|||No Comment Fr��d��rique Constant Manufacture Tourbillon Moonphase Date 24 SiliciumPosted byJohnny McElherroninJanuary 4th 2010under:Fr��d��rique Constant, NewsTags: Fr��d��rique Constant, Fr��d��rique Constant Manufacture Tourbillon Moonphase Date 24 SiliciumFr��d��rique Constant -?relative newcomers in the industry – have achieved another world first in the form of the "Manufacture Tourbillon Moonphase Date 24 Silicium".? The brand were the first to develop a tourbillon featuring an escapement wheel made from silicon, the smooth su***ce of which needs no lubrication and which being incredibly light, results in [...]Read More